Decades-Old Jawbone Found in Arizona Identified as Marine Who Died in 1951

A jawbone discovered in an Arizona boy's rock collection in 2002 has been positively identified as belonging to U.S. Marine Corps Captain Everett Leland Yager, who died in a military training accident in California in July 1951.

The identification was made by researchers at the Ramapo College Investigative Genetic Genealogy Center in New Jersey, who used DNA analysis to match the bone to Yager's daughter.

The jawbone, which still had several teeth attached, was initially obtained by the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office in 2002 after the boy found it. However, no matching DNA was found in government databases at the time. The case was revived in 2023 when the bone was sent to the genealogy center at Ramapo College.

Using whole genome sequencing and bioinformatics, the researchers at the center were able to develop a genetic profile from the bone. College students and a high school intern, believed to be the youngest person to contribute to such a case, worked on the analysis. Within two days, they found a potential candidate and confirmed the match with a DNA sample from Yager's daughter.

Yager's remains were originally recovered from the accident site in Riverside County, California and thought to have been buried in his hometown of Palmyra, Missouri. However, it remains unclear how the jawbone ended up in Arizona. Experts speculate that a scavenger bird may have transported the bone from the crash site to where it was eventually discovered.

Why this matters: The identification of Captain Yager's remains after over 70 years brings closure to his family and highlights the power of modern DNA analysis and genetic genealogy in solving cold cases. The case also demonstrates the valuable educational opportunities provided by programs like the one at Ramapo College, which engage students in hands-on investigative work.

The resolution of this decades-old mystery is considered a success in the field of investigative genetic genealogy. "This case was a lesson in expecting the unexpected," said Cairenn Binder, a forensic scientist at the Ramapo center. Plans are now being made to reunite Yager's jawbone with the rest of his remains and his family. The case stands as a testament to the persistence of investigators and the potential for new technologies to provide answers in even the most challenging circumstances.

Key Takeaways

• Jawbone found in Arizona boy's rock collection identified as U.S. Marine Captain Everett Yager.
• Yager died in 1951 military training accident, remains thought buried in Missouri.
• DNA analysis by Ramapo College researchers matched jawbone to Yager's daughter.
• Case highlights power of DNA analysis and genetic genealogy in solving cold cases.
• Jawbone to be reunited with Yager's remains, bringing closure to his family.